Whooping cough cases in Colorado top 1,000

Whooping cough cases in Colorado topped 1,000 for the year in early October, according to state health department statistics, making it the worst year for the disease since 2005.

The count reached 1,026 by Oct. 6, according to statistics from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The average number of cases has been 324 in the past five years. The spike follows a national trend that has prompted repeated CDC warnings about childhood vaccinations and making sure adults are up-to-date on all their shots as well.

Cases reached 1,383 in 2005. The disease, also called pertussis, tends to peak every three to five years for reasons not completely understood by public health officials. Current suspects in the spike include potential upticks in the number of vaccine refusers, and worries that more recent formulations of vaccines might wear off and need a re-boost among adults. Public health officials have hinted in that direction but apparently do not have their statistical backup completely finished yet to nail the argument.

Denver has 165 cases since Jan. 1, with 154 in Jefferson County and 151 in Adams County.

State officials say adults should all make sure they’ve had the tetanus/pertussis booster, especially any with children at home or at their work site. Those who get whooping cough should avoid contact with others until they’ve been on an antibiotic for five days, and those who come in close contact with a known case should start an antibiotic course as a prevention measure.

Electa Draper is the health writer for The Denver Post and has covered every news beat in a 22-year journalism career at three newspapers. She has a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's in journalism.